How to Eat Properly

Proper nutrition and a balanced diet are the cornerstones of good health. Eating properly provides our bodies with the energy and fuel to function at our best and succeed in life. But in today's age of fast food and demanding schedules, eating properly is more difficult than ever.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Hydrate yourself! Water makes up over 90 percent of our bodies in the form of tissues and cells, but most of us still don't get enough of it on a daily basis. Drink at least eight full glasses of water a day. If this seems like a lot, consider that all of this does not have to be in the form of straight water. If you don't like drinking plain water substitute with flavored water, juice or other drinks; just make sure that they are primarily made up of water, and they will help keep you hydrated.
2. Follow the food pyramid. The food pyramid has recently been updated to reflect the nutritional needs of people today. Reacquaint yourself with these basic guidelines for nutrition and follow them as closely as you can. Keep track of how many recommended servings of each group you account for with each meal and try to eat at least a serving from each food group with each meal throughout the day.
3. Diet in moderation. No one is immune to the body image pressures placed on us by society. We all feel the need to look younger or thinner at some point but dieting, like all things, should be done in moderation. If you must diet, consult a dietician and work out a diet plan that is healthy and realistic for your lifestyle and body.
4. Balance out the fast food. Fast food chains are more prevalent and convenient than ever before. If you can't resist the local drive-through, try to choose items that have lower fat and calorie counts on the menu. Instead of a greasy double cheeseburger, order a grilled chicken sandwich and pair it with a side salad and low-fat dressing instead of French fries. At some point, we all have to resort to a fast food restaurant for a quick bite on the go but that doesn't mean we can't still make a conscious effort to eat healthy.
5. Know your personal health needs. In addition to basic nutritional needs, many of us have individual health needs that must be addressed in order to really eat healthy. Be aware of any insufficiencies or special risks that you may have and supplement your diet accordingly. Supplement an iron deficiency with dark greens and red meat; decrease an inherited risk of high cholesterol with fiber, whole grains and low-cholesterol foods.